1. Introduction
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 187 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.
As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a wide range of conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.
2. Overview
Customs administrations perform a range of important functions on behalf of their governments including revenue collection, trade facilitation, protection of society, and national security. These functions require the identification of goods at the border and the key WCO instrument used by Customs authorities for this is the International Convention on The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (the Harmonized System), which forms the basis of tariff schedules in 212 countries or unions globally. The Harmonized System (HS) creates classes (headings and subheadings) into which all the world’s tradable goods can be classified. The HS must be maintained to ensure that these classes are reflective of current needs and is updated on a normally five-year cycle.
The Harmonized System is a flagship instrument and the key Convention for Customs and trade in managing the identification of goods for Customs clearances globally. This is set up under an international convention, which was adopted in June 1983 and entered into force January 1988. The Convention expanded upon the previous nomenclature and hence most of the structure and some of the content is older than the Convention.
Since its entry into force in 1988, the HS has been periodically updated every five to six years to keep pace with changing trade patterns, technological developments, environmental and social considerations, the need for greater clarity in classification, etc. HS 2022 is the edition currently in force, with the next edition, HS 2028, scheduled to take effect in January 2028.
3. Short Description of the Vacant Position
Within the Policy and Standards Directorate, the Nomenclature Policy Unit is responsible for developing and maintaining international Customs policies, standards, and tools, in relation to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.
The position is responsible for HS-related matters, including servicing WCO HS-related working bodies, supporting the periodic amendments of the HS, developing and updating classification tools, providing technical assistance for capacity-building, with the aim of ensuring the consistent interpretation and application of the Harmonized System (HS).
4. Main Accountabilities
-
Preparation of working documents for the HS-related working bodies (HS Committee and its Working Party, HS Review Sub-Committee, and Scientific Sub-Committee), including in relation to changes to the Nomenclature or the Explanatory Notes, resolution of classification questions, policy matters, or reports on meetings and activities.
-
Coordination and management of the HS-related working body meeting to which assigned as a Meeting Coordinator in accordance with the relevant Standard Operating Procedure(s).
-
Development and update of HS-related instruments and tools to assist Members in their adoption and implementation.
-
In conjunction with the Implementation and Capacity Development Directorate, provision of technical assistance for capacity building, including the delivery of training and the development and review of educational materials.
-
Co-ordination with external stakeholders, including other international organisations, for the furtherance of the work, assessment of advances in the field of work, and, where required, to undertake collaborative work.
-
Representing the WCO at global conferences, seminars and training fora as required.
-
Advising WCO Management in relation to HS-related policies and strategies and providing briefings and material as required.
The person appointed will also be required to perform such other duties as may be assigned and may be subject to reassignment within the WCO Secretariat.
5. Education
-
A university degree; or an equivalent combination of education, skills and experience.
6. Experience and Essential Qualifications
-
The candidate must have a comprehensive knowledge of the Harmonized System.
-
Candidates are expected to have at least five years’ experience of practical issues relating to Nomenclature matters, where tariff classification was the primary work, at the national level within the Customs administration.
-
The candidate is expected to have experience in relation to the classification of textiles. Experience in other areas of the HS, such as classification of agricultural and food products or metal products, is an advantage.
-
The candidate must have high level research and analytical skills.
-
A high level of proficiency in written and oral communication skills, including analytical writing and the preparation of technical guidance, is required.
-
Experience in either training or preparing guidance on classification is an advantage.
-
Experience in WCO HS-related working bodies and in an international context is an advantage.
-
The candidate must have good interpersonal skills, be prepared to work in a team in an international environment, be able to respond flexibly to changes in priorities and requests for work and meet deadlines.
-
The candidate is expected to be capable of working with Microsoft Office.
7. Languages
-
The candidate must be proficient in drafting and speaking in one of the official languages of the WCO (English or French) and preferably have a good working knowledge of the other official language.
8. Contract and Conditions
-
Staff member under WCO contract of five (5) years with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum total duration of appointment at A-Grade of 10 years;
-
Probationary period: six (6) months;
-
Full-time employment (thirty-seven (37) hours and forty (40) minutes weekly) at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;
-
Thirty (30) days of annual paid leave;
-
Salary based on the Co-ordinated Organisations’ salary scale, grade A3, step 1; amount of 8,091.28 EUR/month (remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium);
-
The basic salary can be augmented by allowances based on the staff member’s eligibility, and it is subject to the mandatory withholding of terminal allowance (for retirement planning) and medical and life & disability insurance contributions.
This position is subject to the WCO Staff Manual (for permanent staff). If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to specifically indicate this in the application.
9. Application and Recruitment Process
Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 16 November 2025, midnight Central European Team (CET), including a CV and motivation letter in English or French. This application should be sent by email to: [email protected]
The subject line of the email sent by each candidate should clearly indicate the job vacancy for which they are applying.
The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how they meet each of the essential qualifications and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to describe tangible achievements in their CV and motivation letter, as well as to include contact details for referees.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an assessment, which may include a written test and/or an interview. All short-listed candidates may be requested to provide copies of their original diploma, certificates and proof of relevant experience. Pre-selected candidates may also be subject to reference checks to confirm the information provided in their application.
Interested candidates may submit a request for additional information via email, providing their full name and contact details.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application, according to the criteria for the position and the applicable WCO rules.
10. Additional Information
The WCO is committed to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, as well as to promoting diversity among its staff members. Accordingly, applications from qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, will receive equal treatment and due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting nationals from WCO Members on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The age limit for employment at the WCO is 65. Please note that the WCO Headquarters building is a non-smoking environment.
